The goalkeeper from California got to design a new goalkeeper kit ahead of the club’s international trip to England to play Clapton CFC. Aside from learning about the kit, here is the story about Grassroots Athletics and their tie with New York International FC.

If you weren’t aware, we here at Protagonist Soccer love talking about New York International FC. For those curious, here are some links to previous content regarding the amateur club from Astoria - NYIFC Earn Promotion in APSL

Oh and the club was featured in our magazine when looking at the history of soccer in the city of New York, which are still available to purchase - Tales of New York

So when the club announced their trip out to England for an international friendly AND created a goalkeeper kit - you knew we had to sit down and learn the story behind the kit.

Designed by goalkeeper Ian Pierno, the native Californian got to finally design a kit of his own for his team. It wasn’t his first ever kit design - that happened back when Pierno was in Los Angeles - but this would be his first with New York International and from the club’s co-owner Nick Platt and Grassroots Athletics. “I’ve always like… loved designing kits. I’d play pro clubs on FIFA pro with my boys, and I was like the dictator of what the kits would look like. Always made sure I was the captain”. If you read my interview with Custom Athletics, you know I too have a past connection for love of kits and design from video games.

When at LASC, Ian loved being a part of that historical club but wasn’t a fan of their goalkeeper kit. Simply put, “I hated the goalkeeper shirt”. Like Jorge Campos of the past, part of the appeal of playing goalkeeper was the freedom in wearing “whatever you wanted”. So, as Ian did not like LASC’s goalkeeper fit he simply started bringing his own. So when he formed Club Citrus, Ian became the kit czar like FIFA pro clubs and put together the team’s field and goalkeeper kits. “It was my first time formally designing a shirt”.

After Club Citrus, Ian would move to New York. He trialed with several clubs, but just couldn’t find a home. Finally, he found New York International. “I was like, yeah, this is f***ing it”. With the team going all the way to England to play Clapton, the idea of a goalkeeper kit was a no-brainer. Prompting both Ian and Nick to go “why not?”. We all know field players get all the new kits, while goalies tend to be stuck with templates. Clearly Ian doesn’t share that mindset, “goalkeepers deserve to look good too”. With this new goalkeeper kit, some of the field players wanted to use it as a third kit. But Ian refused because he wanted to “let the goalkeepers have something”.

“Ian can take over as the incredible designer that actually brought it all to life” - Nick Platt of Grassroots Athletics. As Ian put it “the ultimate double-dip”. “He is scratching his own back over and over and all of ours at the same time”. Seemingly a perfect match for the club looking to stand out. The company gets to test things out and really use New York International as their flagship team.

Nick went on to say, “I think it is a lot of fun because we are able to very quickly pivot and create products that otherwise wouldn’t be available”. A great example of that was their new training jackets, which was a new product from the young company.

Digging into their plethora of local Astoria sponsors, this team finds itself in a very fortunate position to ask that simple, yet freeing expression of “why not?”. From local barbershops, media companies, bars, etc - seemingly every business in Astoria has helped New York International stand out on the pitch.

“The heart and soul of New York International is to create community and create a place where people could find like minded people and build friendships and enjoy playing football.” With the club going overseas and truly living up to their name, it was time to immortalize the moment forever. This was a moment that the club will never forget, calling it a “special moment”.

Ian was excited about the opportunity. As an avid Football Manager sicko who started in the lower depths of England, the goalkeeper found the Clapton due to their values aligning with New York International’s ethos. Saying he was “pretty geeked” and a “dream come true”.

No for the design of this “turtle” kit - a nickname I ended up coming up with for this interview (ridicule me later). It is a solid Green base with a Lighter Gold checkers that contort a bit. All outlined in a Darker Gold collar and cuffs. “I wanted a shirt that, no matter who we are playing against, they can be wearing a dark color”, Ian went on to say, “I didn’t want like neon green or neon pink”. So the goalkeeper went with that Blue-ish Green and Cream color. Something that will always stand out for New York International with their Black, White and Gold colorway.

Now you are wondering, why did I name this the “Turtle Kit”? Well, it reminded us of a turtle with the colors, and Ian has a turtle tattoo as they are his favorite animal. Plus, who didn’t like the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles growing up? Turtle Tattoo, Turtle like colors, and Ian’s favorite animal - I think the Turtle kit makes sense. Given the rigorous defensive nature of the large reptile, goes hand in hand with goalkeepers being the last line of defense.

There was even talk of trying to market this kit as something more, like tying the HEX color to the ZIP code of Astoria, but Ian put it simply “I wanted something I can wear no matter what”. Went to say that this kit is also a bit of a counter to the minimalist nature of modern football. “Nick and I are West Ham fans, and were devastated when they took the Boylan and Castle off the badge. Less is not always better”. Ian went on to say, “I wanted to do something asymmetrical. The shorts have one big Gold stripe on one side, but not the other side”.

As I mentioned keeping this kit asymmetrical, the warped checkers were intentional in keeping with that idea. “I like checkers and stripes, and we threw in the warp and I liked seeing all the irregularities”. As an Indy native, you know I love me some good checkers.

Finally, this kit’s last pitch to me was something I have heard across the football design world - being able to wear this everywhere. For once, the outspoken and never duplicated club is following a standard. “Basically, it is not just a kit. It is a low-key lifestyle kit. For the Pub, the Pitch - anywhere”. As a collector of kit, it is hard to disagree that Grassroots and Ian have put together a kit that isn't a lifestyle kit. It’s an interesting look, but still classy with the collar. I’ve even worn it myself to the office.

Whether you are playing an international friendly in England, in one of the most scenic football pitches in the United States in New York, or to a bar in Indianapolis - you know you will look good with this Turtle Kit from New York International. “Being able to put something together to memorialize that [Clapton trip] and to look good, feel good and play good”.

Appreciate Nick from Grassroots Athletic and Ian Pierno of New York International for sitting down with me to talk about their trip to Clapton and this Goalkeeper Kit.

- by Brett Mullenix